Wybron, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is celebrating the successful launch of its monthly on-line market research surveys. The ongoing research program will be used to influence product development and help Wybron better understand the needs and desires of lighting professionals. Some key innovations over the years have been a direct result of listening to suggestions from customers. The monthly surveys are another way for Wybron to be responsive to thse industry.

In January, 147 people completed the survey, and the numbers are expected to grow each month as the word gets out. A wide range of the lighting industry was represented with people involved in everything from television, art installations and outdoor environments to worship services and even "extreme environments." Bill Brinsley and Bill Ebeling were the lucky recipients of new iPods. The research is being conducted by Acromatics Marketing Research. The surveys are short, generally 10 minutes or less, and can be completed from any computer at any time during the month. To take the survey and be eligible for a chance to win an iPod, log on to www.wybron.com/research/.

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Thern Inc., a major designer and manufacturer of products for lifting, moving, pulling, and other load handling functions, recently released a new catalogue for its complete line of davit cranes and winches. The new catalogue outlines full product descriptions and specifications to assist industry professionals needing lifting and pulling equipment. The catalogue serves as a quick reference guide to Thern's extensive product offerings and lists features and performance ratings for Thern's complete product line.

New sections featuring Thern hand winches, portable and stationary davits, and heavy-duty air winches have been added to the catalogue, which is available for download in PDF format at www.thern.com/news.php?loc=lit.

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Gone are the days of static objects. In March, the launch of WYSIWYG Production Design Suite Release 16 will breathe life into productions by giving users the ability to pre-visualize shows with moving scenery! Objects are simply attached to movement axes (either linear or rotational) and moved along them with the Moving Scenery tool.

For greater realism, designers can patch control of the movement axes (and their attached objects) and use a console device or a motion control system to manage the progress of the objects along the axes. To see how this new feature can assist productions visit www.cast-soft.com and click the Preview Moving Scenery icon.

Cast Software, creators of WYSIWYG, is working with multiple motion control system manufacturers to allow them to connect directly to WYSIWYG and visualize motion controls. These exciting new advancements complement Cast's mission to deliver software tools that give users the ability to Show and Sell.

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Stage Technology is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a lighting design student based on a combination of quality and appeal of submitted photographs. The winner and additional students may have their work included on the company website and in its 2006-07 catalog. The winner will be chosen from those submitting high resolution production photos not larger than seven megabites to info@stagetechnology.com.

Entries are being accepted until May 31, 2006 and should include permission to use the photos in the upcoming Stage Technology catalog, along with credit information for the photographer, lighting designer, producing organization, scenic design, and costume designer, if applicable, along with complete contact information for the student designer. A subject line of "Scholarship" is suggested. Students must also obtain permission from the show's director to submit the photos. Those unable to provide digital submissions may enter by mail.

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